Abia community knocks ministry over monarch’s selection

Unless the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, intervenes, there are indications that the Obohia-Ndoki, in Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state will know no peace because of the process of selecting a new traditional ruler for the community.

During a protest on Wednesday at the premises of the Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Umuahia, the community youths, carrying placards with different inscriptions, and chanting protest songs, accused the ministry of complicity in imposing a contender other than their choice.

Led by one George Marshall, a son of the late elder of the community, Uloelu Lawrence George, the youths appealed to the state governor to “send some people to come and investigate or hear from the people of Umuokoroaja. We have the evidence and a letter written to that effect. Our traditional stool is rotational. The late traditional ruler came from Umuokorota, and it is now the turn of the Umuokoroaja people.”

The youths urged the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, to do a proper investigation before concluding on the matter.

When PUNCH Metro contacted the son of the late traditional ruler, Ihueze Dike, he confirmed that it was the turn of the Umuokoroaja village to produce the Eze-elect, from where the two contending people came from, explaining however that having done their election, one Monday George emerged as the Eze-elect.

He explained that with the backing of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the second contender emerged boasting to all and sundry that he must be the next traditional ruler of Obohia Ndoki, hence the protest.

However, in his reaction, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Chidinma Nwogu, said they would make a decision based on what the constitution says on who is qualified and would take their findings and suggestions to the state governor for his action.

She said, “The ministry doesn’t have a hand in the selection of a traditional ruler for any community, but the people. We urge them to remain law-abiding until the conclusion of the investigation,” she said.